Milton boys’ hockey rolls into playdowns on a pair of wins

Milton's goalkeeping has been part of a recipe for success this season. (PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN)

SOUTH BURLINGTON —

Heisler’s unassisted goal put Milton in front 7:21 into the makeup game at Cairns Arena, but the Falcons — who close the regular season with a 3-16-1 record and last won Jan. 22 — evened it up just over a minute later.

But Patrick Shannon regained the lead for Milton, putting the hosts in front for good off an assist from Josh McQuinn at 1:42, and Nick Desouza made it 3-1 from Jaxon Schaarschmidt at 5:22.

Cam Goodrich netted the first of three third-period Milton goals, assisted by Austin Rock at 4:11. Cam Barnier followed with an assist from Heisler, who closed out the scoring at 10:41 on another unassisted tally.

Jackson Ehler made 12 saves in goal for Milton, which out-shot the Falcons 18-13.

Milton improved to 9-8-1 and heads to Waterbury for Saturday’s regular-season finale against Harwood Union just behind Lyndon Institute (11-7) in the race for the fourth seed.

WATERBURY — Milton closed the regular season in a strong note Saturday, rolling into the playoffs with an important 2-0 road win over Harwood in Division II hockey.

Jackson Ehler’s 31-save shutout led the Yellowjackets (10-8-1) past Harwood (11-7-2) with a disciplined effort, avenging a 3-2 loss to the Highlanders earlier in February. Milton picked up just one penalty and none over the final two periods. Harwood hadn’t picked up a single penalty until being whistled for five infractions in the final period.

Harwood’s inability to keep five skaters on the ice in the final frame proved especially costly after Milton had taken a 1-0 lead on Cam Goodrich’s score with just over a minute to go in the second. The Yellowjackets fired off 15 shots in the third in an attempt to put the game away, finally succeeding with Josh McQuinn’s tally to provide a 2-0 cushion midway through.

Saturday’s victory wasn’t enough for Milton to overtake Harwood for fourth place in the final Division II standings as the Yellowjackets went 4-4 down the stretch. The teams would meet again Friday or Saturday in a quarterfinal if they win first-round games at home.

(PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN)

(PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN)

Milton’s goalkeeping has been part of a recipe for success this season. (PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN)